Knife for splitting leather



(No Model.)

I. J. BRINGHAM. KNIFE EOE SPLITTING LEATHER.

No. 587,784. Patented Aug. 10; 1897.

arrows UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRIEND J. BRINGHAM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

KNIFE FOR SPLITTING LEATHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 587,784, dated August 10, 1897.

Application filed April 23, 1896. Renewed February 12, 1897. Serial No. 623,200. (ND modem To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRIEND J. BRINGHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chi: cago, in the county of Cook and State of Illin0is,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knives for Splitting Leather, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention leather to form tubes or pockets therein. It is designed more particularly for splitting straps or narrow strips of leather-such, for example, as those used in harnessthe tubular portion being formed to receive a filling or as a loop for the end of a strap.

My invention consists of a knife formed upon the end of a shank and having a forward cutting edge with a central blunt guidingpoint projecting beyond the converging line of the cutting edges. It is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a tool for forming a preliminary guiding-cut. Fig. 2 shows my improved knife in plan View. Fig. 3 shows an end view of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 shows an end View of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shows a side elevation of the tool, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 shows a side elevation 'of Fig. 2, and Fig. 7 a cross-section on line 7 7 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings, in addition to the improved knife, I have shown a tool is in Fig. 1 for cutting a preliminary or guiding slit in the leather. This is made with a shank Z of form triangular in cross-section and with a blade or point on its forward end, as shown at b, a little wider than the shank and beveled to relates to the splitting of form a central point and two side cutting edges sloping from the point. This knife is make so that the shank fills the space out by the knife, and the tool guides itself accurately in a straight line after it has been carefully started. It is used to cut a central slit in a plane parallel to those of the sides of the leather and as far as the slit or pocket is to extend. The tool is then removed and the improved knife inserted. This tool has a laterally enlarged knife A with a blunt, dulled, or non-cutting point a fitted to follow the channel made by the knife is. The lateral sharp edges are sloped back, as shown at e, and behind them are straight parallel guiding or dull edges f, which bear on the edges of the slit and aid in guiding the knife.

I do not confine myself to the particular form of the guiding-point, except that it shall project beyond the converging line of the cutting edges. The sharp edges run quite to this point, so as to cut all the leather next thereto. The shank is made, preferably, of the triangular cross-section shown.

I claim-.-

A knife for splitting leather to form tubular cavities or pockets, the same consisting of lateral sloping cutting edges, and a central blunt guiding-point projecting beyond the converging line of the cutting edges, substantially'as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRIEND J. BRINGHAM.

Witnesses:

HENRY E. COOPER, F. L. MIDDLETON. 

